Day: December 27, 2004

Kiki and Link just passed the true test of “Happy Christmas”. They just came home from playing with a friend whose pile of Christmas loot was larger than that of our entire family combined. I half expected them to come home with a list of things they didn’t get. Instead they excitedly told me all the cool things their friend got and then happily went off to play.

Even better, an hour later the friend showed up at our door. He joined our kids in playing with their home-made gifts.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Today I am feeling incredibly grateful because everything that made Christmas wonderful for the kids (And adults too) was a gift to us from someone else. The Knex, bop-it, capsela, and tonka trucks which were the Christmas Morning Surprises came from a neighbor. The Polly Pockets and Hamtaro items came from my parents. Another neighbor bought barbie, polly pocket, and star wars toys for my kids unexpectedly. And the money that bought DDR and a pair of pads for me came from Lady Anne and Level head. The Return of the King Deluxe Set came from our friend Richard Bliss.

A few weeks ago I was so proud of my “$100 Christmas”. Now I feel humble and grateful because for all my running around and bargain hunting it would not have been so lavish a Christmas without the generosity of others.